Algeria Proposes Bill to Criminalize French Colonial Rule

Algerian lawmakers are debating a draft law to criminalise France’s colonial rule from 1830 to 1962, which resulted in significant human rights abuses and the deaths of 1.5 million Algerians. The bill, introduced in the People’s National Assembly, seeks acknowledgment and an apology for colonial crimes, framed as a step towards historical justice. While Speaker Ibrahim Boughali emphasizes its importance for Algeria’s sovereignty, French President Macron has resisted calls for an apology, advocating instead for reconciliation. Relations between Algeria and France are strained, particularly following France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Western Sahara.